Teachers on sex charges
to TWO former Geelong school teachers have faced court on allegations they sexually abused children.
Daniel Zampatti, 38, and Mark Irwin, 63, both of Geelong West, appeared in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday after being charged by detectives from the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.
While their cases are unrelated, both men face charges of indecent assault and sexual penetration of a child.
The accusations against Mr Zampatti stem from recent years, while he was employed as a music teacher at Geelong Christian College.
The alleged victim was a student, with Mr Zampatti accused of penetrating her digitally, touching her breasts and repeatedly kissing her on the lips during separate incidents.
Mr Irwin, who was until recently working as director of music at Geelong College, was charged late last month with three offences that allege he sexually preyed on a boy at Newtown in the early 2000s.
Mr Irwin allegedly twice sexually penetrated the boy.
It is understood he was music co-ordinator at Geelong College’s preparatory school at the time of the alleged offending. During Mr Zampatti’s court hearing, Office of Public Prosecutions solicitor Kim Swadesir requested more time as she indicated the man’s legal team had offered a plea deal relating to his 16 charges.
“The prosecution seeks an adjournment to thoroughly consider a resolution proposal that has been made,” Ms Swadesir said.
Magistrate Luisa Bazzani adjourned the case to December 13. Mr Irwin will return to court on the same date, with Ms Bazzani placing him on bail after he was originally charged on summons.
After learning the allegations, the magistrate initially flagged the prospect of imposing a bail condition that would prevent him engaging with children in a teaching setting.
But she backed down after Mr Irwin’s lawyer Sophie Parsons revealed her client was no longer teaching and had never been charged with similar offences.
Mr Irwin’s bail conditions state he must continue residing at his address and not have contact with the complainant.